Area courses tee up new directions

Published 6:02 am Sunday, January 15, 2017

Adjustment in management at The National in Westlake and Gray Plantation were the golf course changes in the area during the past year.

The city of Westlake took over the handling of The National from Billy Casper Golf while the Stream family regained control of Gray from Escalante Golf.

The Casper company had managed The National property since it opened while Escalante came on board four years ago at Gray.

Gray head golf professional Tyler Kuhn said it has been “golf as usual out here. It hasn’t changed anything from an operational standpoint. Everything is going good.”

The same at The National, although director of golf Dave Kaspar noted that the money the city was paying Billy Casper Golf is now being put back into the course.

“We’ve got a good staff and a lot going on out here,” Kaspar added, noting that the staff have a direct influence on the course condition.

Between he and general manager Jerry Pockat, there is more than 50 years of golf course experience.

Kaspar also said the process of putting up a clubhouse is continuing but that nothing has been finalized.

“We have a nice set of plans and it is high on the priority list by the city to get it done. We’re probably a year away from starting,” he added.

The location of the clubhouse, which will include a pro shop, banquet area and restaurant, will be off the No. 9 green in the area where cars now park.

Kaspar said the plans are modeled after the clubhouse at the Atchafalaya Golf Course in Patterson with a wraparound floor plan and a deck overlooking the course.

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Both courses will get the meat of their tournament schedule underway in a couple of months.

Upcoming at The National is the Adams Tour’s $100,000 Southwest Louisiana Open, which will run March 8-11 with a pro-am on March 7.

Gray has its annual Beaus and Belles Classic set for March 11-12.

Upcoming

Jan. 28 — Texas-Louisiana junior event, Mallard Cove.

Feb. 11 — Texas-Louisiana junior event, Gray Plantation.

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Louis Bonnette has written about local golf for the American Press since 1971. His column appears each Sunday. Contact him at 274-5689 or lbonnette@mcneese.edu